Finance

As financial transactions become increasingly complex, the lawyers who handle those deals need to be increasingly sophisticated and business-minded. They need to master not only the evolving world of finance but also the changing environment of the industries in which the transactions occur. Blank Rome has significant depth of talent in financial services legal matters and extensive experience in representing senior and subordinate lenders, including mezzanine and second lien lenders.

Blank Rome’s commercial lending attorneys have extensive experience in structuring, negotiating, and documenting all types of complex financing transactions. The finance practice group lawyers combine sophisticated commercial finance and lending experience with a strong familiarity with contract, tax, real estate, and securities law. We are always focused on cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

WHAT WE DO

Our team regularly represents many of the nation’s leading players in lending, leasing, and specialty finance in a broad range of services, including:

business finance

asset-based finance

equipment leasing

general commercial/corporate finance

factoring

real estate lending

trade finance

project finance

structured finance

loan sales and trading

loan workouts and restructurings

lender liability litigation, prevention, and defense

securitizations including CLOs and CDOs

healthcare and sponsor finance

fund formation, management, and operation

We lead transactions across many industries, including:

automotive

construction

energy

entertainment and media

financial services

healthcare

information technology

manufacturing

real estate

retail

software

telecommunications

timber

waste treatment

For matters involving policy direction and regulatory issues, Blank Rome has a government relations affiliate, Blank Rome Government Relations LLC. Regarded as one of the top lobbying and strategic communications firms in Washington, Blank Rome Government Relations assists clients in navigating the complexities of federal, state, and local government laws and agencies.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

Recognized as 'one of the best' for corporate finance work, this outstanding national practice is acclaimed for its 'strong, business-minded lawyers' and 'focused and sophisticated' work. 'Their service is beyond compare.'

Our team includes attorneys highlighted in The International Who’s Who of Capital Markets Lawyers, board members of the Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys, and two elected fellows of the Board of Regents of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers.

We represented lenders in six transactions nominated for the 2012 “Annual M&A Advisor Awards.”

Our practice group members frequently lecture to numerous organizations, such as the MBA, CFA, and ACFA, on legal issues affecting the financial services industry.

Our attorneys frequently write for well-respected journals such as the ABF Journal and Financial Fraud Law Report as well as author thought leadership such as The CLO Manager’s Handbook.

SELECT ENGAGEMENTS

National bank, as agent and lender, in a $25 million revolving credit facility to provide working capital for an e-commerce retail company.

National bank, as agent and lender, in a $30 million term/revolving credit facility to refinance indebtedness and provide working capital to a marketer of ethanol and distillers grain.

National bank, as agent and lender, in a $28 million revolving credit facility and a $12 million revolving credit sub-facility to provide working capital needs to an aerospace company.

National bank in connection with a $45 million bridge and permanent mortgage loan secured by an 180,000 square foot multi-tenant office building located in Washington, D.C.; master leased to a national news publisher.

National bank, as agent and lender, in connection with a $250 million senior secured revolving credit facility extended to wholesale distributor of metal products and window covering products

Professional sports team, as borrower, in connection with a $140 million refinancing of existing indebtedness

Real estate leasing firm, as borrower, in connection with a $325 million credit facility

Agent in a $42 million syndicated second lien loan with a $6 million delayed draw feature in connection with a private equity sponsor’s acquisition of a leading international automotive parts manufacturer with operations in the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and China.

A $65 million syndicated term loan and capital expenditure credit facility to finance a strategic acquisition, and a $60 million refinancing of existing term loan and revolver credit facilities for a leading Mid-Atlantic construction company.

Business Development Company in the establishment and restructuring of its $300 million securitization facility, rated by one of the major rating agencies. Our representation includes ongoing assistance to ensure that originated loans sold into the facility are documented properly.

Finance affiliate of a global investment bank as agent in a $65 million revolving credit facility to an operator of retail institutional pharmacies.

Agent and bank group in prepetition restructuring and bankruptcy of Hussey Copper and its affiliates, including DIP financing and a successful 363 sale, resulting in full repayment of all bank group obligations.

Major bank in lender liability lawsuit alleging millions of dollars in damages; resulted in a complete defense verdict following trial.

Major equipment finance originator in several securitized warehouse facilities and term securitizations, aggregating more than $1 billion.